Senior Scholarships and the High Performance Pathway
Welcome to Senior Scholarships at Westbrook Hay. Our scholarships recognise pupils with real talent and potential, and our High Performance Pathway makes sure that talent is nurtured. Every Scholar and Exhibitioner is known, supported and challenged to reach their very best, in a school that provides the best for, and expects the best from, us all. Mark Brain, Headmaster
Our six scholarship areas
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Academic
Art
Drama
Music
Performing Arts
Sport
High Performance Pathway
What every Scholar and Exhibitioner receives
This is how we help talented pupils flourish. It brings together specialist teaching, mentoring and exciting opportunities in each scholarship area, so every Scholar and Exhibitioner has a clear route to develop their talent, grow in confidence and aim high.
Specialist mentoring From experts in their own discipline
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1:1 development Personal goals and mentoring for Scholars
Identify
Recognise
Develop
Perform
talent and potential
achievement and promise
through a tailored pathway
at ever higher levels
At Westbrook Hay, a Scholarship or Exhibition marks the start of a pupil’s development, not the end point. Every award leads into a structured pathway of specialist guidance, challenge and opportunity, shaped around the individual. Pupils set personal goals, receive specialist guidance and are stretched through opportunities chosen for their subject and their ambitions.
Subject masterclasses Led by staff and visiting specialists Specialist trips Chosen to extend their subject Competitions & performance ISA, regional & national competitions and showcases Leadership & responsibility Ambassadors and role models in their field Future pathways Sixth form, auditions and career insight Recognition & celebration Welcome evening and celebration dinner
Our awards Scholarships
Exhibitions
Headmaster’s All-Rounder
Our highest recognition, with the most specialist development in each area.
Recognising real strength and potential. Exhibitioners follow the High Performance Pathway alongside our Scholars.
For pupils with exceptional talent across several areas.
Exceptional Performers The Exceptional Performers Programme recognises pupils across the Senior School who show exceptional talent, effort or potential, with or without an award. It links every level of the pathway together.
Who takes part
• Pupils nominated by staff in any subject or area • All Scholars and Exhibitioners What it offers
• Workshops and enrichment beyond the curriculum • Time with specialists • Leadership and mentoring opportunities • A summer trip and celebration Where it leads
• Our most talented pupils learn, perform and lead together • Exceptional Performers who continue to excel can be invited onto the High Performance Pathway
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Support around every pupil
At the centre is the pupil. Supporting them is their Scholarship Lead, then specialist teachers and visiting experts, then the Exceptional Performers Programme, all held within the wider Westbrook Hay community.
Academic
independent thinker
What are we looking for?
Expectations
Academic scholars will be those attaining at the highest level of their cohort. It is likely that these children will be performing far above age related expectations in a number of subjects.
Academic scholars will be exemplary pupils who are intrinsically motivated and who show commitment to their studies through their attitude in and out of the classroom.
Successful candidates will show an outstanding commitment to their learning.
Assessment Academic scholarships will be awarded on the basis of a series of assessments undertaken during the scholarship day. These include:
Academic scholars will lead by example in lessons, demonstrating both good academic progress and a strong commitment to the wider intellectual life at Westbrook Hay.
• Written assessments in English (comprehension and creative writing) and maths. • Interview with members of our Senior Leadership Team.
problem solver
Academic scholars are expected to: • Represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day. • Take part in all aspects of our Exceptional Performers Programme including peer mentoring and regular meetings.
loves a challenge
• Engage in extra curricular activities such as academic house events and external competitions such as The Townsend Warner History Prize.
Benefits • A High Performance Masterclass every term. • Termly mentoring and goal setting with their scholarship lead, tracked in their performance journal. • Support with GCSE choices and sixth form scholarship applications.
endlessly curious
• Exceptional Performers Programme opportunities. • Specialist sessions with Heads of Subject and external speakers. • Academic challenges, debating and enrichment visits. • An academic book allowance.
Art What are we looking for? Pupils who demonstrate outstanding ability in art, particularly through creativity, imagination, manipulative skills, strong powers of observation and evidence of some specialist language.
Assessment Candidates wishing to be considered will need to attend an assessment session. Candidates will be given a practical task and present a portfolio of work that shows an interest in art inside and outside of the classroom. There will be three parts to the assessment:
1. A drawing test: The candidates will be invited to spend time drawing from direct observation. A range of materials
and items will be made available and it is expected that candidates will be able to demonstrate how they record what they see.
imaginative
2. The portfolio: There will be no preconceived ideas about what a portfolio might contain. It would be natural to expect to see work that has been produced at school but we will be especially interested in other items, whether drawings, photographs, computer art, craft items made at home, or selfmotivated art. The portfolio should contain items that show the candidate’s range and depth of interests, skills and knowledge. No more than 10 pieces should be included. The Head of Art will review portfolios.
observant
3. An informal interview: Candidates will be invited individually for a short, informal interview with the Head of Art. They will be asked to select one piece from their portfolio and explain the ideas and motivation behind it. Candidates will be expected to be able to discuss their work with enthusiasm and make connections with the artists’ work that they have studied.
Expectations
always creating
experimental
We will expect art scholars to make a significant extra-curricular commitment to their work, set an example to the rest of the pupils through exemplary behaviour and attitude towards learning and contribute to the making of sets and props. Termly meetings with the Head of Art where the scholars will be expected to assess their own contributions and set targets for themselves.
Art scholars will be expected to represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Benefits
• A High Performance Masterclass every term.
• Termly mentoring and goal setting with the Head of Art, tracked in their performance journal.
• Support with GCSE choices and sixth form scholarship applications.
• Exceptional Performers Programme opportunities.
• Extra tuition from the Head of Art.
• Artist workshops, gallery visits and exhibitions of your work.
Drama What are we looking for?
• Performers with real potential and a passion for drama, ideally with Grade 4 or above in LAMDA, Trinity or equivalent, and experience such as youth theatre.
Assessment
• An audition: two contrasting twominute pieces, ideally one Shakespeare or classical.
• A short workshop on one piece and its context.
• An interview with the Head of Drama and a Senior Leader.
• Support and mentor younger pupils through the drama pathway.
• Show enthusiasm, dedication, and a positive attitude towards rehearsals, showcases, and any out of school performances or competitions the drama department takes part in.
collaborative
• Be fully committed to all drama productions.
• Follow the drama pathway at GCSE. • Represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Expectations
• Maintain a high level of commitment to the drama scholars’ programme.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities within drama activities, events and performances whilst serving as ambassadors for the drama department.
born performer
versatile Benefits
• A High Performance Masterclass every term.
workshops.
• Termly mentoring and
• Extra opportunities to
goal setting with the Head of Drama, tracked in their performance journal.
perform, including at Speech Day and events where our Drama Ambassadors take the stage.
• Support with GCSE choices and sixth form scholarship applications.
• Exceptional Performers Programme opportunities.
hungry to learn
• Audition technique
• A weekly scholars’ programme of contemporary, new and classical work, which has included performing alongside other schools at a London theatre, the ISA Shakespeare and National Youth Theatre competitions.
Music What are we looking for? Candidates who are working towards Grade 4 in one instrument. It will be advantageous to be having lessons on a second instrument or voice. Candidates who are wanting and able to sing solo and in small groups, who will also commit to attending choir rehearsals. Evidence that they have already been involved in weekly musical group activities such as orchestra or wind band will also be an advantage. Commitment to developing their skills of performing in public at school and elsewhere.
Assessment Successful interview with the Head of Music and a Senior Leader. Perform a Grade 4 level piece on the first instrument, sing a Grade 2 level song or play a Grade 2 level piece on the second study. Grade 2 aural exercises with the Head of Music talking about present involvement in music-making, inside and outside school, and their musical interests.
happy to sing
ensemble player
loves to perform
Expectations
Benefits
Successful candidates will be expected to choose a musicbased club and to be committed to one of the choirs and the orchestra or Jazz Band.
• A High Performance
They will be expected to see their role as not merely engaging in these clubs, but as being part of the leadership which also implies behaving responsibly and inspiring younger players. They will also be expected to be enthusiastic and committed to any out-of-school performances or competitions the music department might take part in. Keep up regular, purposeful practice.
always practising
Music scholars will be expected to represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Masterclass every term.
• Termly mentoring and goal setting with the Head of Music, tracked in their performance journal.
• Support with GCSE choices and sixth form scholarship applications.
• Exceptional Performers Programme opportunities.
• Extra rehearsal for performances and next school auditions.
• Priority for public performances where possible.
stage-ready
Performing Arts What are we looking for? All-round performers with real potential and a love of the stage, ideally with Grade 4 or above in acting (LAMDA, Trinity or equivalent) and/or dance (RAD, ISTD or equivalent).
Assessment • An audition: a choice of monologue, solo dance or song. • A short drama workshop or dance improvisation. • An interview with the Head of Dance and Drama and a Senior Leader.
Expectations
• Maintain a high level of commitment to performing arts based clubs and be a dedicated member of both the dance team and drama scholars programme.
Dance, drama and song, coached for versatile young performers. • Demonstrate leadership qualities within performing arts activities, events and performances whilst serving as ambassadors for the performing arts within the school.
• Support and mentor younger pupils coming through the performing arts pathway.
• Show enthusiasm, dedication, and a positive attitude towards rehearsals, showcases, and any
out-of-school performance or competitions the performing arts department takes part in.
• Represent the school in a variety of performing arts contexts.
• Follow on of the performing arts pathways at GCSE.
• Represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Benefits
• A High Performance Masterclass every term.
• Termly mentoring and goal
disciplined
setting with the Head of Dance and Drama, tracked in their performance journal.
• Support with GCSE choices and sixth form scholarship applications.
• Exceptional Performers Programme opportunities.
• The dance team and the weekly drama scholars’ programme.
• Audition technique workshops for dance and drama.
• Extra opportunities to perform.
expressive
Sport What are we looking for? Candidates applying for a sports scholarship are expected to demonstrate a high level of sporting ability, dedication and an enthusiasm for sporting life in school. Scholarships are awarded to pupils who have shown sporting excellence.
driven to improve
Successful candidates should be high level players in at least one, preferably two of our core sports of football, netball, rugby and cricket. Pupils may also excel in another sport. Those excelling in a non-core sport might be considered for a Sports Exhibition. At this young age, potential and individual skill level will also be considered.
Assessment An interview with the Head of Boys’ or Girls’ Games. Skills assessments across a range of tasks. Observation of small sided games.
team player
Expectations Please see below the prerequisites and the other key qualities which are essential for sports scholars.
• A whole-hearted commitment to the sports programme and full availability for fixtures.
• An excellent attitude, ambition and work ethic towards sport.
• Have high standards of conduct, fair play, kit, organisation and communication.
• The ability to display leadership qualities within the sports environment.
competitive
• Represent the school on important occasions such as Open Morning and Speech Day.
Benefits
• A High Performance Masterclass every term. • Termly mentoring and goal setting with a sports mentor, tracked in their performance journal.
• Support with GCSE choices and sixth form scholarship applications.
coachable
• Exceptional Performers Programme opportunities. • Strength and conditioning and specialist coaching. • Fixtures and competitions at a higher level. • Sports trips across the year, including football, netball and cricket.
Considerations We offer a range of scholarships to children who we believe would benefit from the curriculum and wider opportunities at Westbrook Hay, and who will contribute to the school’s success. The total number of scholarships available is limited and the process of gaining a scholarship is competitive. Scholarships attract a fee remission of up to 10%. Scholarships are open to internal and external candidates. The school reserves the right to vary the number and terms of scholarship awards according to the number and strength of applications. Exhibition awards may be offered with a lower financial remission.
More than one scholarship may be applied for, but if multiple scholarships are awarded, the maximum financial discount given is the value of the greatest scholarship awarded and not the sum of all the scholarships. Internal candidates should be able to demonstrate their commitment to their chosen area of expertise and be fully involved and included in the life of the school. All awards may be varied at the absolute discretion of the Headmaster. Awards are reviewed each year. Our pathway is built on high standards on both sides, and if there is ever a concern we always talk with the pupil and their family first.
Preparation for the future Our High Performance Pathway prepares Scholars and Exhibitioners for the next stage of their education, with guidance on GCSE choices and support with sixth form scholarship applications.
Assessment Day Once your child is registered to attend, your son or daughter will be invited to Westbrook Hay for an assessment day. These take place in January during Year 6 or Year 8. All assessments will take account of a pupil’s ability, potential, attitude and work ethos.
Our Ethos
Our Mission
“We are a welcoming, all-inclusive, family community that provides the best for, and expects the best from, us all.”
“To develop happy, confident and successful children who are well prepared for their future.”
Contact: Mark Brain, Headmaster, Westbrook Hay School, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 2RF Tel: 01442 256143 westbrookhay@westbrookhay.co.uk www.westbrookhay.co.uk